Sachem Football Looking Back: 1986, Week 3

Each week in honor of the 25th Anniversary of Sachem's 1986 Rutgers Trophy team, Sachem Patch will give a brief recap of how Sachem faired during that season.

Sachem Patch will be profiling athletes from that team and sharing stories from the memorable season all fall. But to give you some facts about 1986 ... the Flaming Arrows were in the midst of one of their most dominant stretches in program history. In 1985, Sachem finished 8-2 overall, just behind West Islip in Suffolk County League I.

Sachem returned 16 starters from that dominant '85 club, including a stacked line with Gary Beutel (6-4), Marty Cummings (6-2), Curt Giacobbe (6-2) and Kevin Bauer (6-4). Defensive Backs Paul Engelhardt and Ralph Isernia were fierce. Athletes like Gary Comstock, Dave Shanahan, John Walsh, Wayne Wilson, Bob Kohn and others knew how to play.

Season Record After Week 3: 3-0

Sachem 40, William Floyd 0 ... Three games and three shutouts in the a row for Sachem. Sachem led 26-0 at halftime and skated through easy against Floyd, which was a vastly different program than it is now. Dave Shanahan scored two short yardage touchdowns in the second half. Jeff Strand caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from John Walsh. Wayne Wilson scored a 1-yard touchdown run and Bob Kohn threw a 23-yard touchdown pass later in the game.